The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), as directed by its Chairman & CEO. Sen. Richard Gordon, provided hot meals and relief packages to 101 locally stranded individuals (LSI) currently sheltered in the AFP Housing Area in Brgy. Pinagsama, Taguig City.
These LSIs were working in different cities in Metro Manila and staying with their families.
Due to the quarantine protocols, the LSIs lost their jobs and were evicted from their boarding houses.
They were left with no choice but to live in the street outside the Heritage Cemetery also in Taguig. Originally from various provinces, the LSIs were waiting for transportation back to their home provinces.
Upon learning of the plight of the LSIs, Sen. Gordon dispatched Welfare and Social Services Consultant Dr. Zenaida Beltejar and her team to provide immediate assistance.
While going about its work, the Red Cross Welfare Team chanced upon two pregnant teenagers who were part of the LSI group. Sheilla Mae, 19 years old and seven months pregnant; and Jonnalyn 17 years and due to give birth anytime were assisted by the PRC. Fully aware of the need for pre-natal care and the requirement of clinics for Covid-19 testing for individuals requesting consultation, Dr. Beltejar arranged immediate swab tests for the two teenagers at the PRC Molecular Laboratory and brought the two to the North Signal Super Health Center for pre-natal checkup. PRC is now monitoring the two, providing them with their labor needs.
This is only one of the many actions PRC is undertaking during the pandemic: helping the vulnerable, fulfilling its mandate to save lives.
In the process the Red Cross team also secured the health of the teenaged mothers and the future of the children they are carrying. (PRC)
